Novell's DirXML Provides Foundation for eBusiness

• Powers Cross-Platform and Cross-Network Information Exchange
• Delivers Centralized Control over Business Processes
• Enables More Intelligent Networks

 

Novell, Inc., a leading provider of Net services software, announced today immediate availability of DirXML, powerful new integration software that makes possible new business solutions to accelerate a company's transformation to eBusiness. DirXML extends the capabilities of NDS eDirectory, allowing companies for the first time to fully integrate business processes and existing applications across the enterprise. By combining state-of-the-art directory technologies with the common language of eBusiness, XML, DirXML powers secure cross-platform and cross-network information exchange. Through its ability to deliver centralized control over a company's eBusiness processes, DirXML reduces network management costs and drives new opportunities to elevate relationships with clients and customers over the unified global network one Net.

"DirXML is the solution we've been waiting for the industry to deliver. It will allow us to connect our disparate systems and link all our user information across all of the different applications that we run. We anticipate it will greatly reduce the time and cost spent on network management by ensuring that the information we have is updated dynamically so it's always current," commented Mike Richichi, Assistant Director of Academic Technology, Drew University.

"As enterprises rely more on directories to manage networked applications, they will need access to the XML metadata that increasingly describes networked resources. Novell's DirXML is the forerunner of the XML-aware directory architecture of the 21st century," commented James Kobelius of The Burton Group. Recognizing the revolutionary promise of DirXML well before its release, Network World gave DirXML its "Category Breaker" award in November 1999.

DirXML Enabling a New Breed of Business Solutions

DirXML makes it possible for networks to function more "intelligently" by allowing diverse business solutions to take advantage of the management and security of directory-based computing. DirXML is the first solution to centralize and automate key business processes thereby allowing companies to effectively integrate existing applications with that of their customers and partners, without special application programming or modification. Furthermore, it is unique in its ability to ensure that a company's core information automatically gets to the applications that need it, when they need it, and in the form they need it. DirXML is empowering a new breed of solutions, including, among others, employee provisioning, customizable partner and customer relationship management, and universal employee access to the corporate information and applications they need.

"With the release of DirXML, Novell has taken the directory to a qualitatively new level. By merging the directory fully with business processes, we're moving the directory beyond an IT function to become the foundation for business solutions," said Paul Smart, vice president and general manager, Net Directory business unit, Novell. "This is a significant breakthrough, demonstrating how Novell has once again pushed the envelope on directory-based solutions."

Establishing Leadership in the Adoption and Deployment of Industry Standard

Novell supports open standards and integration and has taken the lead in adopting several new standards, including XML, DSML, XSLT, and LDAP. DirXML is based on the widely adopted open industry standard, XML (eXtensible Markup Language), making it simple to implement, inexpensive to deploy, and easy to integrate for application developers.

DirXML Training and Certification Program

Novell is offering a complete developer program on-line to train consultants and developers in the practice of developing drivers for DirXML. This training can be found at http://developer.novell.com/education. Additionally, Novell is creating a comprehensive training and certification program that will be designed to ensure the correct deployment of DirXML-based solutions through qualified channel partners. Novell plans to make this available in the fall. [EA1]

Pricing and Availability

DirXML is platform independent and only requires eDirectory, Novell's cross-platform directory service. It is available immediately through Novell Consulting Services and consulting partners. Novell plans to make DirXML available through Value Added Resellers in the near future. Pricing for DirXML includes the cost of eDirectory, which is $2 USD per user, and is structured based on individual customer requirements. More formal pricing will be announced at a later date. Novell Consulting Services is available to help customers design and implement eBusiness solutions based on DirXML and eDirectory. Novell's Consulting Services can be reached at 1-800-714-1700.

About Novell

Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVL), is a leading provider of Net services software that delivers services to secure and power all types of networks the Internet, intranets, and extranets; wired to wireless; corporate and public across leading operating systems. Novell's Net services software provides the foundation for one Net a single global network that supports new applications and forms of business. Worldwide channel, consulting, education and technical support programs, along with strategic alliances, combine Novell Net services software with third-party products and services to form complete Net solutions.

For information on Novell's complete range of products and services, contact Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272), or visit Novell's Web site at http://www.novell.com. Press may access Novell announcements and company information on the World Wide Web at http://www.novell.com/pressroom. In addition, detailed comparisons between Novell products and competitive offerings from other vendors are available on the Web at http://www.novell.com/competitive.

Novell and NDS are registered trademarks, and DirXML and eDirectory are trademarks of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All third party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.